From Robert Whitley,May 26, 2015: “Rich and ripe, with power to spare, the Estate 1856 Duvall’s Prospect shows impressive layers of black fruits, ample tannins and remarkably good balance considering the obvious ripeness of the fruit. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Platinum award winner at the 2015 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition.”

FROM KENSWINEGUIDE.COM: “This midnight blue colored blend opens with a gentle blackberry and boysenberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced and smooth. The flavor profile is an interesting blend of blueberry with notes of toasted coconut. I also detected hints of boysenberry and black cherry. The finish is dry and its flavors and very dusty tannins so very good length. I would decant this wine in the near term and serve it with braised short ribs with pearl onions and roasted fingerling potatoes.”

Female Professional Judges: Dark fruit and black tea aromas and flavors capture the senses. Cassis, tobacco spice and a hint of menthol swirl on the palate. Fresh and lively with nice oak integration. 90 Points

Male Professional Judges: Punch of fruit with an herbal left hook. Black cherry, cola, olive, and iodine aromatics with a slight smoky undertone. Big tannins and deep fruit intensity on the palate. Black plum and bitter chocolate flavors with an intense but well balanced blend of tannin and acidity. Lingering cola, coffee and toffee on the nice long finish. 93 Points, 3rd PLACE across 330 wines

From Chad Lesausky of Notebook Wines: “2009 Estate 1856 Red Blend, Dry Creek Valley ($36): This was by far the most complex wine I tasted at SF Vintners Market. The 1856 is 78% cabernet, 12% petite verdot and 10% malbec that has all the red fruit, tobacco, caramel and vanilla that you would expect in a New World Bordeaux blend. At $36 this wine won’t last long. Buy it now!”

FROM KENSWINEGUIDE.COM: “This opaque and midnight blue colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County opens with a fragrant black currant and blackberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, slightly acidic and fruit forward. The flavor profile is a ripe boysenberry and black currant blend with notes of minerality and oak. I also detected hints of blueberry and cherry as well. The finish is dry and its fruit flavors and mild tannins fade away nicely. This fruity Cab would pair well with Charlie Palmer’s Colorado lamb rack with fingerling Lyonnaise potatoes.”

Steve Heimoff (Wine Enthusiast) Comments: Voluptuous in the mouth, with a velvety, chocolate-layer-cake richness. It has flavors of cassis liqueur and blackberries in every form—from freshly picked to dried. It’s a delicious wine for drinking now and over the next few years. — (9/1/2012) — 90 points

FROM KENSWINEGUIDE.COM: “This pitch black colored Petit Verdot is terrific. It opens with a blueberry and acai berry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced and rich. The flavor profile is a tasty blackberry with notes of blueberry and black licorice. I also detected some minerality and oak towards the end. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins are sticky and nicely prolonged. This is a perfect wine for a well-marbled ribeye. Enjoy – Ken”